Washing machine



Feb. 9, 1937. H. ZARAFU 2,070,192

WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 26, 1953 2 Sheets-sheet 1- Q .nk www NIL uh. A Si Feb. 9, 1937. H ZARAFU- 2,070,192

WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 26, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .lIllllllll/ l /FHMA/V ZAR/4 Fa WW/WY@ Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES MMM PAENT FFIE WASHING MACHINE Application October 26,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines for laundering purposes and the like, and provides improvements therein.

Washing machines for commercial and institutional use, for reasons of economy, have heretofore increased to a considerable size. Though the desirability of still further increase in size, to attain even greater economies, is recognized, problems of serious moment stand in the way of l0y progress, and the racking and distortion which the largest machines undergo under the severe strains of use, have led to a halt in such further increase, and to the belief that the practical limit of size has been reached, if not already exceeded.

The runners or baskets of Washing machines carry a very unbalanced load, move against an unbalanced resistance and undergo the stresses and strains of frequently recurring and quick reversals of direction of rotation while carrying heavy unbalanced loads.

According to the present invention, there is provided a novel construction by which not only is there obtained'greatly increased strength, and durability in the larger size runners heretofore used (and deficient in the qualities mentioned) but a large increase may be made in the size and capacity of runners over the largest heretofore used, without adding substantially to the mass per unit of area at the circumference of the runner, even at considerably increased diameters. This improved construction is staunch, durable, and capable of sustaining the more than proportionately increased stresses and strains of the kind heretofore referred to incident to the greater size (diameter and length) of runners made possible by this invention.

The increased strength and durability provided hereby is of especial advantage in runners having a plurality of doors circumferentially thereof.

The invention further provides means for relieving the driving means from stresses caused by changes of temperature due to alternate use of hot and cold water in the machines and means for preventing distortion of the driving means and its parts.

The invention further provides a driving means which may be mounted and contained as a unit or units at one or both ends of the machine.

The invention further provides means whereby the runner may be placed in or removed from the shell or casing of the machine without dismantling the end-walls of the casing or shell and whereby a strong and tight construction at the 5.5; ends of the casing or shell is thereby attained..

193s, sanar N0. 695,337

(o1. (is-1s) An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine on the line I-I of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; while Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are detail perspective views of parts of the machine.

Referring to said drawings, numeral I0 designates a stationary shell or casing of a Washing machine, adapted to` contain the liquid used in washing, and having end supports or frames I2 and I3.

The runner or basket I5 is carried by a shaft I8 running the length thereof, and by means of the shaft the runner is adapted to be driven alternately in reverse directions, in the usual or any desired manner.

The runner or basket here shown is of a very large size and is provided with a number of compartments 2l), 2|, 22, 23 26 29 32 each of which is adapted to contain a separate batch of wash. The drawings represent by Way of example a runner thirteen and one-half feet long, five feet in diameter, and having fifteen compartments, and adapted to handle at one time from one-half to one ton of wash (dry-weight basis).

The runner I5 comprises end-pieces or head sheets 35, 36 preferably formed by light sheetmetal disks 3B covering relatively light spiders 49 keyed or otherwise securely fastened to shaft IS as shown at 42, and' a cylindrical body portion le of light sheet-metal, usually perforated, 5/64 inch thick for example (#14 gauge). The compartments 253 et seq. are formed by disks 50 (Fig. 6) set transversely of shaft IS, and plates 52 (Fig. 4) set longitudinally or radially of said shaft I3. The disks 50 and plates 52 may also be made of light sheet-metal-itli gauge for example, i. e. of the same thickness as the cylindrical body 44.

In order to overcome the effect of the stresses and avoid the strains heretofore spoken of, and to surmount the limitations upon increase of size of machines heretofore in use, the driving force (torque) and stresses are taken from the endpieces 35, 36 and cylindrical body portion 44 of the runner and applied and sustained mainly by the shaft I8. The shaft is made stout for this purpose, and by the term stout I mean the shaft is well able to withstand bending moments and torsional strains. With the said shaft as a foundation, the partitions 5k), 52 forming the aforesaid compartments are made distributors and receptors of the torque and strains applied and encountered, and the partitions are made of light material interconnected with the shaft and one another for mutual reinforcement and unified rigidity and strength.

For the purpose just described, the shaft i8 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots 55 (three being shown) and into these slots are inserted the marginal strips 51 of the plurality of plates 5?.. The marginal strips 5l are preferably reinforced and thickened by strips 59, which likewisev ente-r the slots 55 in shaft i8. The slotsV 55 and plates 52 are preferably arranged symmetrically around the shaft, being spaced 120 apart in the illustrated embodiment.

The plates 52 and disks 5@ are interconnected for reinforcement, and also for torque distribution and stress reception whereby the driving force or inertia forces due to stopping or reversal are transmitted through the positive and secure connection to shaft i8 afforded by the key and slot connection between shaft I8 and plates 52, or equivalent. The interconnection may be accomplished through upstanding flanges 62 on the edges of plates 52 which flanges, by means of rivets or the like are fastened to disks Eil. The interconnection may further comprise segmental annular sections 65 (Fig. 5) preferably fitting closely the circumferential portion of shaft I8 and provided with flanges 5t, two flanges 66 on adjacent annular sections 65 being fastened together with the plates 52 (and strips 59) interposed and united by means of rivets or the like. The annular sections 55 are also preferably provided with radially extending end flanges 68, by means of which two flanges 68 on adjacent ends of sections 65 may be fastened together, with the disks 5i! interposed, by means of rivets or the like.

The annular sections 65 may be made of rustor corrosion-resistant metal, and the assembly will therefore protect shaft lil from corrosion and the wash against rust stains from shaft I8.

The partition structure is connected to the cylindrical body portion fill, which connection is preferably accomplished through flanges 'l0 on plates 52 and rivets or the like fastening the fianges l@ to the body portion d4.

Inwardly projecting ribs l2, lll may be formed upon the cylindrical body portion 44 and plates 52 respectively for turning and beating the wash during the operation of the machine. Tie-rods 'l5 may pass across the runner from one endpiece 35, 36 to the other behind the ribs l2.

The runner is provided with suitable means, as the sliding doors '11, Fig. 2, for admitting and remo-ving wash to each compartment 2B et seq.

The end frames l2 and i3 and parts mounted thereon are conveniently self-contained units.

Electric motors are preferably provided for driving shaft I5 from each end. These motors may be supported directly on the end-frames I2 and I3, thus avoiding a superstructure distorted by movements of the machine parts.

The shaft i 8 is conveniently of less length than the span between the end frames so that the frames may be cleared when it is necessary to lift the runner out of the machine. At each end of the shaft i8 is preferably a short stub shaft 82 and connected thereto in such manner that torque may be transmitted, and at the same time admit of relative longitudinal movement. Thus constructed, expansion and contraction of shaft i8 is accommodated by relative movement between shaft !3 and shafts 82 and forces are avoided which would produce strains and distortions on.

- machine and kept well lubricated.

Transmission from motors 80 to shafts 82 may be through pinions lim on the motor shafts, gears H12 and pinions ldd on common shafts |06 and large gears H18 on each of shafts S32.

rIhe supportsllZ and H4 for bearings 90 and 92 are made so as to be removable endwise, and this permits shafts 82 to slide axially out of shaft i8, so `that the runner may be removed Without disassembling the cylinder l0.

From the foregoing description, it will be perceived that a washing machine may be constructed according to this invention with a runner having a minimum of Weight beyond its axis, with a net-work of reinforcement, with a broad distribution of driving force, stresses and counter-forces from and to the entire body structure, with the end-pieces and bearings, gears, etc. isolated from the expansion and contraction of the runner due to temperature changes, and with the merits and advantages referred to in the preceding parts of the specification.

The invention may receive other embodiments than that herein specifically illustrated and described.

What is claimed is:-

1. A runner for washing machines or the like comprising, a shaft running longitudinally through the same, end pieces forming transverse members of the runner, an outer cylindrical body portion concentric with said shaft and secured to said end pieces, partition plates extending transversely of said shaft intermediate said end pieces and forming other transverse members, other plates extending longitudinally of said shaft intermediate said transverse members, and means rigidly securing said longitudinally extending plates to said shaft and to the transverse members and to the cylindrical body portion.

2. A runner for Washing machines or the like comprising, a shaft running longitudinally through the same, end pieces forming transverse members of the runner, an outer cylindrical body portion concentric with said shaft and secured to said end pieces, partition plates extending transversely of said shaft intermediate said end pieces and forming other transverse members, other plates extending longitudinally of said shaft intermediate said transverse members, said longitudinally extending plates being aligned from end to end of said runner, there being a plurality of said lines of longitudinally extending plates extending radially from said shaft, and means rigidly securing said longitudinally extending plates to said shaft and to each other, to the transverse members and to the cylindrical body portion.

3. A runner for Washing machines or the like comprising, a shaft running longitudinally through the same, end pieces forming transverse members of the runner, an outer cylindrical body portion concentric with said shaft and secured to said end pieces, partition plates extending transversely of said shaft intermediate said end pieces and forming other transverse members,

other plates extending longitudinally of said shaft intermediate said transverse members, means 'rigidly' securing said longitudinally extending platesfto said shaft and to` each other, to the transverse members and to the cylindrical body portion, annular sections closely` surrounding said shaft and securedtofsaid longitudinally extending plates, and radially extending flanges on said annular sections secured to said transverse plates.

4. A runner for washing machines or the like comprising, a metallic cylindrical body portion of considerable length, a shaft extending axially of said cylinder, a series of transverse partition members spaced longitudinally of said shaft, other partition members arranged to form a plurality of substantially sector shape compartments about said shaft between adjacent transverse members, and means rigidly securing all of said partition members to adjacent partition members and to the shaft and to the cylindrical body.

5. In a washing machine, a cylinder and a runner therein, said cylinder having end frames and drive shaft bearings, a shaft through said runner of less length than the span between said end frames, and stub shafts running through said end frames and having driving connections to opposite ends of said first-named shaft, each connection comprising a recess in one shaft adapted to receive the end of the adjoining shaft, and said stub shafts being arranged to be axially displaced for disconnection from said first-named shaft.

6. A runner for Washing machines or the like, comprising a shaft running longitudinally through the same, end-pieces, a cylindrical body portion concentric with said shaft and secured to said end pieces, and partitions intermediate said end-pieces rigidly secured to said shaft and to said body portion, said partitions comprising interconnected plates running transversely and longitudinally of said shaft, said longitudinally placed plates being fixed lengthwise to said shaft in driving connection whereby torque is transmitted from said shaft to said plates.

7. A runner for washing machines or the like, comprising a shaft running longitudinally through the same, end-pieces, a cylindrical body portion concentric with said shaft and secured to said end pieces, and partitions intermediate said end-pieces fixed to said shaft and to said body portion, said partitions comprising plates running transversely and longitudinally of said shaft, and annular sections closely surrounding said shaft and rigidly fixed to said shaft and to said partitions.

8. A runner for washing machines or the like, comprising a shaft running longitudinally through the same, end-pieces, a cylindrical body portion concentric with said shaft and secured to said end pieces, and partitions intermediate said end-pieces, said partitions comprising plates running longitudinally of said shaft, said longitudinally placed plates being fixed in rigid connection with said shaft and with said body portion, whereby torque is transmitted from said shaft to said plates, and annular sections closely surrounding said shaft and connecting said longitudinally placed plates.

9. In a Washing machine of the class described, runner structure comprising a cylindrical body having generally circular end pieces forming transverse members, a drive shaft extending axially of said body and through said end pieces, partition plates extending transversely of said shaft intermediate said 4endl pieces and forming other transverse members, otherplates extending longitudinally of said shaft" intermediate said transverse members and extending radially of said body from the shaft to the periphery of the cylinder, there being a longitudinally positioned rib extending from end to end of the central portion of each longitudinally placed plate, said longitudinally extending plates and ribs being aligned from end to end of said runner, there being a plurality of said lines of longitudinally extending plates, and said longitudinally extending plates being rigidly secured to said shaft, to said body, to said transverse members, and to each other.

10. In a washing machine of the class described, runner structure comprising a cylindrical body having generally circular end pieces forming transverse members, a drive shaft extending axially of said body and through said end pieces, partition plates extending transversely of said shaft intermediate said end pieces and forming other transverse members, other plates extending longitudinally of said shaft intermediate said transverse members and extending radially of said body from the shaft to the periphery of the cylinder, said longitudinally extending plates being rigidly secured along their inner edges to said shaft and having flanges along their outer longitudinal edges secured to said body, and said longitudinally extending plates having flanges along their radial edges secured to contiguous transverse members.

1l.. In a washing machine of the class described, runner structure comprising a cylindrical body having generally circular end pieces forming transverse members, a drive shaft extending axially of said body and through said end pieces, partition plates extending transversely of said shaft intermediate said end pieces and forming other transverse members, other plates extending longitudinally of said shaft intermediate said transverse, members and extending radially of said body from the shaft to the periphery of the cylinder, said longitudinally extending plates being aligned from end to end of said runner, there being a plurality of said lines of longitudinally extending plates, there being longitudinal slots in said shaft, said longitudinally extending plates having their inner edges inserted in said slots, their outer edges secured to said body and their radial edges secured to each other and to contiguous transverse members, annular sections closely surrounding said shaft and having end flanges abutting opposite faces of transverse members and secured thereto, and said annular sections having out-turned edge flanges abutting opposite faces of said longitudinally extending plates and secured thereto.

12. In a washing machine of the class described, runner structure comprising a cylindrical body having generally circular end pieces forming transverse members, a drive shaft extending axially of said body and through said end pieces, partition plates extending transversely of said shaft intermediate said end pieces and forming other transverse members, other plates extending longitudinally of said shaft intermediate said transverse members and extending radially of said body from the shaft to the periphery of the cylinder, there being a longitudinally positioned rib extending from end to end of the central portion of each longitudinally placed plate, said longitudinally extending plates and ribs being aligned from end to end of said runner, there closely surrounding said shaft and having end anges abutting opposite faces of transverse members and secured thereto, and said annular sections having out-turned edge anges abutting opposite faces of said longitudinally extending 5 plates and secured thereto.

HERMAN ZARAFU. 

